TUF Nations Winner Laprise Takes Home Two Season Awards, See Video

It was a magical night in Quebec City for Chatham-Kent Ultimate Fighter Chad Laprise as he put on an outstanding performance to defeat Olivier Aubin-Mercier and become the first Canadian Ultimate Fighter winner.

During the post-fight press conference things only got better for Laprise as UFC president Dana White announced that Laprise got not one, but two of the TUF season bonuses to put a little green icing on his cake.

Laprise earned the “Fight of the Season” bonus for a cool twenty-five thousand dollars for his scrap with Chris Indich, as well as the “Performance of the Season” honor as well for his knockout of Kajan Johnson to take an additional twenty-five grand. This is a perfect example of letting your ultimate goal guide you as I’m sure Laprise’s eye was on winning the contract and not the extra cash, but it is just a cap on what was a dream season for Laprise. It’s one thing to get an opportunity, it’s another thing to take full advantage of it and Chad did exactly that.

It was his toughest test to date.

“Yeah Olivier was definitely one of my toughest fights stylistically. He’s a lefty, a pure grappler and I prefer someone who wants to stand and bang with me and I can show off some of my striking skills. I wasn’t able to really let my hands go the way I wanted to but I promise you guys next time I will.”

So what’s next for Laprise?

“I’ll fight whoever Dana wants me to fight, and honestly I’m really not hurt. My shins and arms are a little banged up but I’ll be ready to go.” When I spoke with him on media day earlier in the week, he did mention that he was a little intrigued by a fight with the recent TUF China welterweight winner Zhang Lipeng for a debut. The UFC is scheduled for shows in both Japan and Toronto in September, and I would love to see Laprise on the Toronto card.

Laprise is a gym rat. A work horse who is not going to rest long, but I hope he and his family can take a little time and really enjoy this accomplishment. His name now sits along with the likes of past TUF winners Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping, Nate Diaz and Ryan Bader.

Canada’s first ever Ultimate Fighter came from Chatham-Kent.

See video for press conference highlights